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Tony Khan discusses the reasoning behind AEW’s recent releases.
On April 1, AEW released several talent that had primarily been working on the Ring of Honor brand. The company previously had not released talent in this manner; instead, they had let contracts run out and opted not to renew them. Tony Khan has cited budget cuts as the reason for the wave of releases.
During the ROH Supercard of Honor post-show media scrum, Tony Khan was asked whether budget cuts were the reason for the releases. (H/t Jeremy Lambert of Fightful for the transcription)
“This year, I have been very active, not only in the free agent market, but in the production budget. There are things tonight, for example, on one song alone, I spent a year’s pay for most pro wrestlers in this business. The budget with not only free agency, but production, is very high. Also, we’re going into a contract year. I plan to continue being very active, not only in free agency, but in the production of the show, and producing great content. Going into this year, I have to look at where we’re at. I had spent more than I had planned going into this year.
“I really love our roster and where we’re at. I’m very supportive of everybody we have here and everybody who has ever worked here. This particular group, it was not easy choices to make. With this group, I would be happy to take any of them back under the right circumstances. I have no bridges burned with any of them. For us this year, it’s an important year. I’m looking forward going into the media rights year and being very aggressive and putting our best foot forward doing the best wrestling we can. I expect there will be people who will want to come to AEW and ROH. We’re doing great wrestling and this is a great place to work.”
Khan also reiterated his past comments that he had to make difficult choices, and each situation was different.
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